Worried parents have met with a headteacher to raise concerns about an EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy who has been charged by police after threatening to “stab” another child.

Mums and dads of children at Cross Arthurlie Primary, in Barrhead, claim the youngster has terrorised classmates by verbally and physically assaulting them and want him removed from class.

During one worrying incident outside school hours, it’s understood the boy produced a piece of broken glass and threatened to stab a terrified child in the Lochlibo area of the town.

Police were called in to investigate the incident and the young boy was charged with breach of the peace.

A report has now been sent to early intervention officers, who will work with education chiefs and the social work department to monitor the P4 pupil’s progress at school.

One mum, who asked not to be named, said: “My son has been bullied by this boy a few times now and in one instance he was punched in the face for refusing to hand over his lunch money.

“I know bullying can happen in schools but with this boy it’s more extreme than you would expect from kids in primary four and parents are worried about what could happen to one of the children if it continues to get worse.

“It’s shocking to hear that this boy threatened to stab another child and many parents, including myself, have met with the headteacher at Cross Arthurlie for reassurances about our children’s safety at the school.”

She added: “It’s not that we’re unsympathetic to this boy’s needs, because there’s obviously an issue there, but he can’t be allowed to continually disrupt school for all the other children.

“Ideally, we would like the boy moved to another school where there is more support available but we’ve been told that isn’t possible.

“There used to be class called the Star Room where children who needed extra support could go and the rest of the children would not be affected by the bad behaviour but apparently there’s not enough funding for that now.

“Whatever the answer is, we can’t allow our children to have their educations disrupted by threats of violence and outbursts each day in class.”

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said: “We are aware of a case of an eight-year-old boy being charged with a breach of the peace following an incident which happened outside the school grounds.”

A Barrhead police spokesman added: “Following our investigation, a report was sent to the early intervention unit who will continue to work with partners in the education and social work departments with regards to the pupil.”